GAS is excited to be leading the International Festival of Glass (IFoG) into its next chapter, and we are currently seeking proposals for both masterclasses and presentations for the 2026 Festival. Taking place in North West England from 27–31 August, IFoG will bring thousands of people to St. Helens, Liverpool, and Manchester featuring a mix of masterclasses, demonstrations, lectures, exhibitions, and other activities. IFoG was launched in 2004 to create an internationally renowned, vibrant festival celebrating the drama and excitement of glassmaking with an atmosphere of inspiration, social inclusion, and lively cultural exchange.

Featuring artists from around the world, each masterclass typically takes place before the Festival in various studios, offering 6-12 students at all levels the opportunity to learn new techniques. Masterclass instructors will receive £750 plus assistance with travel, accommodations, and food costs in exchange for teaching their masterclass and providing a lecture or demonstration during the Festival.

The call for masterclass proposals is currently open through 12 October. Have questions about the call for proposals? Reach out to ifog@glassart.org.

GAS is excited to be leading the International Festival of Glass (IFoG) into its next chapter, and we are currently seeking proposals for both masterclasses and presentations for the 2026 Festival. Taking place in North West England from 27–31 August, IFoG will bring thousands of people to St. Helens, Liverpool, and Manchester featuring a mix of masterclasses, demonstrations, lectures, exhibitions, and other activities. IFoG was launched in 2004 to create an internationally renowned, vibrant festival celebrating the drama and excitement of glassmaking with an atmosphere of inspiration, social inclusion, and lively cultural exchange.

Presentations include lectures, demonstrations, and other opportunities for both glass enthusiasts and the general public to learn more about glass during the Festival. These are designed to be less technical in scope and should keep the general public audience in mind. Festival presentations typically include artist talks and less intensive glassmaking demonstrations. The call for presentation proposals is currently open through 12 October. Have questions about the call for proposals? Reach out to ifog@glassart.org.

GAS is excited to be leading the International Festival of Glass (IFoG) into its next chapter, and we are currently seeking proposals for both masterclasses and presentations for the 2026 Festival. Taking place in North West England from 27–31 August, IFoG will bring thousands of people to St. Helens, Liverpool, and Manchester featuring  a mix of masterclasses, demonstrations, lectures, exhibitions, and other activities. IFoG was launched in 2004 to create an internationally renowned, vibrant festival celebrating the drama and excitement of glassmaking with an atmosphere of inspiration, social inclusion, and lively cultural exchange.

The theme of the 2026 Festival, 'Local Innovation | Global Inspiration,' encapsulates GAS’s mission and will showcase how UK-based glass artists are paving the way for a glassy future, as well as highlighting the UK glass community's integral role in the broader global conversation around glass. The Festival is internationally recognised for its two keystone exhibitions: the British Glass Biennale and the International Bead + Jewellery Biennale. The British Glass Biennale is the foremost juried exhibition of excellence in contemporary glass by artists, designers and craftspeople working in the UK and British Artists working abroad. It is the flagship exhibition within the International Festival of Glass. The British Glass Biennale is open to artists, designers, craftspeople and students working in all areas of contemporary glass practice or using glass as a key design element who are British or are living and working in the United Kingdom. The emphasis is on new work demonstrating the highest level of excellence in design, creative imagination and technical skill.

The International Bead + Jewellery Biennale is the sister exhibition to the British Glass Biennale and is open to artists, designers, craftspeople and students of all nationalities worldwide who create beads or jewellery where glass is the key design element. We welcome all glassmaking techniques! GAS is excited to add a GAS Member Exhibition to the impressive line-up of Festival exhibitions. Open to all Members and Student Members of GAS, this exhibition will provide artists with the opportunity to show their work within the context of British glass and showcase their craft on an international stage.

GAS is seeking a curator to guide the vision of all three of these exhibitions. Emerging and established curators of all nationalities are encouraged to submit their applications. Each of the three exhibitions will also have separate juries with three international glass artists, curators, and other glass experts. Compensation for the curatorial work for these exhibitions will range from £10,000–15,000.

Timeline:

1 September – Call for curator opens

12 October – Applications for curator are due

17 November – All curatorial applicants will be notified of their status

2 December – Call for submissions for the British Glass Biennale, International Bead + Jewellery Biennale, and the GAS Member Exhibition will open

1 March – Call for exhibition submissions closes

12-13 March – Jurying for all three exhibitions will take place

27 August- early fall – All three exhibitions will be on view at The World of Glass (closing date to be confirmed)

Interested curators should apply via Submittable by the 12 October deadline. Have questions about this call for exhibitions curator? Please contact ifog@glassart.org.